Vehicle Crashes.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 13.925 VEHICLE CRASH REVIEWS AND DISCIPLINARY CRASH GUIDELINES Revised: April 23, 2018 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish a review process for employees involved vehicle crashes, to provide guidelines fo...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 13.925 VEHICLE CRASH REVIEWS AND DISCIPLINARY CRASH GUIDELINES Revised: April 23, 2018 I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to establish a review process for employees involved vehicle crashes, to provide guidelines for administering discipline to Department employees involved in traffic crashes, to foster crash prevention and to promote safety consciousness. II. POLICY: Appropriate police personnel or designated outside agencies shall investigate all crashes involving vehicles that are City-owned, leased by the City or used by the Department in the performance of police functions. The Department shall provide guidelines for disciplinary actions for chargeable crashes. All Department personnel are required to report to their supervisor any contact with their vehicle and another vehicle or any other object immediately by obtaining driver/operator information, if applicable, and initiating a case number. III. DEFINITIONS: Crash: An unintentional act involving at least one vehicle in transport that results in property damage, injury, or death. Chargeable Crash: Any police vehicle crash that is the direct result of the employee being negligent or careless in the operation of his/her vehicle for which he/she is charged, or could have been charged, with a civil infraction. Vehicle: For the purpose of this directive, vehicle shall include vessel, bicycle, wave runner, ATV, golf cart, or other mechanically propelled vehicle. IV. PROCEDURE: A. EMPLOYEE INVOLVED CRASHES: 1. A vehicle crash involving an employee will be investigated according to Departmental Standards Directive 61.02 Traffic Crash Investigations. Effective: December 1, 1985 Revised: April 23, 2018 Vehicle Crash Reviews and Disciplinary Crash Guidelines Directive No. 13.925 Page 1 of 2 2. A copy of the vehicle crash report and the motor vehicle/property damage investigation report shall be sent to Risk Management and the chief of police or his/her designee through the chain of command. 3. Civilian employee involved crashes may be evaluated by the City’s crash review board. 4. Documentation: a. If another person or private property is involved, and there is no damage, the incident shall be documented as Traffic Other (TRO) on the Incident Report. b. A crash report will be completed for all other incidents. c. If no other parties are involved or there is no damage, supervisory discretion may be used to determine how to document the incident. B. CHARGEABLE CRASH DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES: 1. Any chargeable crash will result in the following disciplinary actions being taken: a. First Crash: No less than a written memorandum of counseling. b. Second Crash: No less than a written reprimand. c. Third Crash: No less than a suspension of twelve (12) hours of pay. d. Should a crash involve serious personal injury, as defined by FSS 316.1933, to either party or significant vehicle damage, maximum penalties may be applied. 2. General Procedures: a. All actions listed in Section A. above shall be based on a 24-month period, commencing with the date of the first chargeable crash. b. A Driver Improvement Program may be recommended at any stage. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: December 1, 1985 Revised: April 23, 2018 Date: Vehicle Crash Reviews and Disciplinary Crash Guidelines Directive No. 13.925 Page 2 of 2